Town of Olla Minutes

Proceedings of the Olla Town Council meeting was held on Tuesday, January 09, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Olla Town Hall Ð 2628 Central Avenue. Mayor Elliott called the regular monthly meeting to order, and Joel Sims opened with prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

Sonya Kennon called roll. Present: Mayor Elliott, Joel Sims, Michael Duke, Keith Reichardt, Madge Bailey, and Jessica Dunn. Various members of the public were present.

Bailey made a motion, second by Dunn, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.

Duke made a motion, second by Sims, to approve the December 2023 regular meeting minutes. Motion Carried.

Reichardt made a motion, second by Dunn, to approve the December 2023 bills as presented. Motion carried.

Sims made a motion, second by Dunn, to approve the December 2023 financial statement as presented. Motion carried.

* Fire Department Ð The December 2023 monthly fire report was given by Acting Chief Ray Atwell. Atwell stated there had been no changes in membership and all equipment is in operational condition. The department responded to 4 alarms in December, and the department attended one business meeting.

* Police Report Ð The December 2023 police report was given by Chief Jody OÕBier. 111 citations were issued for December 2023, $19213.65 was collected in fines and court cost, the department responded to 11 incidents, 0 arrests. Animal control report was unavailable.

* Public Works Department Ð Mayor Elliott delivered the December 2023 SuperintendentÕs report. Mayor Elliott stated that the town is having issues with water being discolored in certain areas. This happened after we connected to the new treatment plant. This is being investigated to see what is causing the issue. Samples have been conducted and we are waiting on the results, and lines are being replaced.

Mayor Elliott announced that the town has purchased a new Ford F-150 for the public works department and still need an additional one to replace the 2003 ?-ton pickup truck. This will be looked into later in the fiscal year.

Bailey made a motion, second by Sims, to approve the reports as presented. Motion carried.

Duke made a motion, second by Dunn, to appoint Dorroh & Kendrick Law Firm as the official attorney for the Town of Olla for the year 2024. Motion carried.

Dunn made a motion, second by Sims, to appoint Sonya Kennon as the 2024 Town Clerk for the Town of Olla. Motion carried.

Bailey made a motion, second by Reichardt, to appoint Mark Talley as the 2024 Town Magistrate for the Town of Olla. Motion carried.

Duke made a motion, second by Bailey, to appoint Joel Sims as the 2024 Mayor Pro-Tem for the Town of Olla. Motion carried.

Bailey made a motion, second by Duke, to ADOPT Resolution 2024-001: A Resolution to authorize Mayor Elliott to sign all Water Sector Program documents and forms; authorize Mayor Elliott and Sonya Kennon, Clerk, to sign Water Sector Program documents and forms when required, open a bank account and write/sign checks for the Water Sector Program, this authority being retroactive to April 12, 2022. Motion carried.

Dunn made a motion, second by Reichardt, to introduce Ordinance 2024-01: An Ordinance releasing the dedication to the extension of 4245 Main Street Highway 165 and Olive Street to Homeland Federal Savings Bank and schedule a Public Hearing for February 13, 2024. Motion carried.

A discussion was held concerning the request to possibly put a cell tower on a location inside the city limits of Olla. The cell tower was unanimously voted against by all council members due to concerns and safety for the citizens of Olla, Louisiana.

Mr. John Kim Taylor was voted as the new Olla Fire Chief by the council members for the Town of Olla. Motion carried.

Mayor Elliott stated that as a requirement of the LCDBG grant that Town of Olla received for the new water treatment plant, we had to have a new rate study conducted. Mayor Elliott met with LRWA last Friday and had both a water and sewer rate study done. Since we are applying for a DEQ loan for a new wastewater treatment plant, a new sewer rate study had to be completed. Results of this study should be in later this week.

Mayor Elliott is working on all of the documentation to send in for our water grade. We had our Sanitation Survey conducted in October of last year and some repairs are needed. The consultant for the Town of Olla said he only knew of 3 companies in the state that do this type of work and only one submitted a quote because of time constraints. The company that did turn in a quote said we would need an extension because they could not get to the repairs in the time period set by the state. The extension was requested and granted, but then we received an email stating because the repairs were not done by 12/31/2023, this would go against us on our ÒWater Report CardÓ that will be published statewide.

Mayor Elliott stated that she is in the process of closing out the LCDBG and WSP grants for the water treatment plant. Mayor Elliott has submitted more paperwork for the Capital Outlay project (roadway construction of Church Street) so hopefully we are getting closer to getting that project started.

Dunn made a motion, second by Sims, to adjourn at 7:28 p.m. Motion carried.

Rhonda Elliott

Mayor

Sonya Kennon

Town Clerk

Published:

2-14-24